Circuit interrupter



Dec. 1, 1925 1,563,488 J. F. D. HOGE CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER File Nov. 17. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wye/#02: Jose /7 f0. fiaye Dec. 1,1925 1,563,488

J. F; p. HOGE CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filqd NOV, 17, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 0/15 HALF CAM OPEN

CAM B UM SED OPEN CLOSED OPEN CLOSED Dec. 1 1925- 1,563,488

J. F. D. HQGE CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER File NOV. 17. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 L/IVE cmsso CAM-F '4 greatest difliculty arises in obtainini Patented Dec. 1; 1925. I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.rosnrn 1'. n. noon,

moonromrnn,

OF NEW YORK, N. ,Y., ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CIRCUIT INTEBRUPTER.

Application filed November 17, 1921. Serial 110,515,821.

7 To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I, Josnru F. D. Hoes, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New Yor r 5 State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit Interrupters, of which the followlng 1s a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

Thisinventlon relates to electrical circuit 10 interrupters and is directed particularly. to.

means and methods for obtaining relatively high freqeuency interruptions;

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an interrupter whereby relatively high frequencies of definite predeterniilned make and break periods are obtaina e. Y

A further object is the provision of an interrupter whereby the ratio of, make and break periods may be altered at will.

Still another object is theprovision of means whereby I the relative duration of makeand break periods may be quickly interchanged.

For relatively low frequency circuit interruptions, it is common practice to employ a-pairof contact springs cooperating with a cam wheel, whereby contacts are made and 7 broken at the desired frequency; or as an alternative arrangement, it is also common practice to employ acommutator and brush in which the metallic segments and insu-' lators are suitabl' proportioned to give the required ratio'o make and break. Such 36 devices are well known in the art and under certain conditions operate satisfactorily atthe frequencies for which the are employed. But for relatively high requencies, that is, frequencies higher than those for 40 which interrupters of the character referred to are ordinarily employed, it has been found that certain difficulties are encountered. In the case of interrupters employing make and break contact springs, the

form make and break periods at hig frequencies. This is due largely to the inertia of the contact springs and their tendency to excessive vibration at high operating speeds. 'In the case of interrupters of the commutator'ty-pe, the difiiculty has been due rupted b each set uni to excessive wear induced by high speed op- I eration aggravated in many. instances by arcing. i

The principal feature of the invention, in

accordance with the primary object above 1 stated, resides in the novel method of ob taining relatively high frequency interruptions, which consists in superposing and combining the interruptions of a-plurality of interrupters, and further consists in the novel means whereby the several sets of interruptions are combined to produce a relatively high frequency.

Another feature of the invention which is in accordance with the, second mentioned object above stated, resides in the novel method and means provided for varying the ratio of the 'make period to the break period. This feature in 1ts preferred embodiment consists in arranging certaincams so that they may be angularlf adjusted with re- 7 spect to other cams w ereby the make penods of certain interrupters may be made more or less co-incident with the break periods of other interrupters.

Still another'fea'ture consists in the circuit arrangement whereby-the relative duration of the make and break periods may be interchan ed by the/operation of a switch or equiva ent device.

The preferred form of interrupter, in accordance with this invention, comprises a plurality wheels, with each of which is operatively associated a set of transfer contact springs, one of which is operated by its associated cam wheel. to engage each of the other springs are provided between the sets of contact springs whereby the circuit may be interin its proper turn. Certain of t e cam wheels are rotatable relative to the others, and means are provided for locking or otherwise securing-them with.

The preferred embodiment of that featureof the invention whereby the relative dura- I tion of makeand break-periods maybe inofsimultaneously rotatable cam alternately. Suitable connections l head member 8.

terchanged will be described in connection with the detailed description hereinafter.

With reference to the drawings: Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a motor driven interrupter constructed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the cams together with produce a relatively short open period and a long closed period; Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a four-cam interrupter and includes a switching arrangement whereby the relative duration of make and break periods may be quickly interchanged; and Fig. 7 is, a diagram illustrating a six-cam interrupter including a switching arrangement for quickly interchanging the relative duration of the make and break periods.

On the base 1, Fig. 1, there is mounted a motor 2 having a shaft 3, which extends through the drum 4, and is journaled in brackets 5 and 6. The drum 4 comprises separators 7 and a head member 8, all of which are secured to and rotatable with shaft 3. Cams A, B, C and D are spaced apart by the separators 7 and are not secured directly to shaft 3, but are held by means of the screws 9 which pass through suitable apertures in the cams and separators, and engage the tapped apertures 10in The separators 7, head member 8, and the cams are preferably provided with several sets of apertures, as is best illustrated in Fig. 2, wherein the aperture 35in cam represents one of a set which may, for instance, comprise three apertures, an aperture corresponding to each screw 9, all of whichwould be preferably located on the same radius and spaced equidistantly. Aperture 36 represents one of another set of apertures, which set, like the one previously referred to, might also comprise three equi-distantl spaced apertures. Likewise, the aperture 3 re resents one of still another set. In F ig. 2, t e, apertures 37 are shown in alignment with corresponding apertures in the other cams and the separators 7 while the apertures 35 and 36 are shown out of alignment with the corresponding apertures in the other cams and separators 7. As is evident, only one set'of such apertures may be used at a time and as many sets must be provided as there are different cam settings desired.

As will be more. clear from the explanation hereinafter, in a four-cam interrupter as shown in Fig. 1, the teeth of cam C must be staggered with respect to the teeth of cam A by an angle equivalent to one fourth the pitch of the teeth. In other words, each tooth oi cam A moves in advance of the respect ively corresponding tooth of cam C by a distance on the pitch 'line equal to onequarter the pitch. In a six-cam interrupter, the alternate cams such as cams A, (1 and E, must be staggered so that corresponding teeth are angularly displaced by a distance on the pitch line equal to one-sixth of the pitch. And accordingly, in an eight-cam interrupter alternate cams would be displaced by a distance equal to one-eighth the pitch. The same principle holds true for any even number of cams except in a two-cam interrupter in which case there are -no alternate cams. If the alternate cams are not spaced as above stated, the train of interruptions produced will not be uniform.

To produce a train of interruptions of equal make and break periods the teeth of the intermediate cams, which, in the case of a four-cam interrupter would be cams B and I), are displaced in relation to adjacent cams byan angle equal to one-half the displacement between successive alternate cams. In other words, to produce a uniform train of interruptions of equal make and break'periods, corresponding teeth of successive cams are relatively displaced by equal angles. To produce unequal make and break periods, the alternate cams such as A and C are not disturbed relatively to each other, but the intermediate cams such. as B and D are rotated through equal angles and in the same direction with respect to adjacent cams. The direction in which the intermediate cams are rotated in making such adjustments depends upon whether the ratio of make eriod to break period is to be increased or ecreased.

The contact springs 11, 13 and 14 are so adjustedthat the make and break occur simultaneousl in both directions of the movement of f0 lower spring 11. In the preferred arrangement, the follower spring 11 engages both springs 13 and 14 when the bottom ofthe roller 12 is on the pitch line as shown in Fig. 2. The cam teeth are so 7 Any even number of cams may be employed, and with a given speed of operation the frequency of the resultinglinterruptions so is equal to. the product'of t e number of cams and the frequency which would be'obtainable with a single cam of the sameproportions and rotating at the same speed.

N ow to enter upon a consideration of the principles of the invention, Fig. 3 will be first referred to, in which is shown a frag;

mentary development of two cams together with their associated contact springs. Both cams are assumed to be moving in the direc- 1 at the bottom of Fig. 3.

tion indicated by the arrow. As will be seen, the teeth of cam B are so staggered with respect to those of cam A that the roller 12' associated with the cam B is on the pitch line and about to drop below the pitch line when the roller 12 associated with cam A is midway between adjacent teeth. The teeth of cam B are staggered with respect to corresponding teeth of cam A by an angle equivalent to one-quarter the pitch of t ,e teeth. This articular adjustment gives equal make and break periods, as indicated Starting with terrr'iinal 15, and tracing the circuit through toterminal 16 with the contact springs in the position shown, it will be seen that the circuit is closed and extends through conductor 17 follower spring 11, spring 14, conductor 18, spring 13, follower sprin 11, and conductor 20. But at the next instant the roller 12 associated with camB will have dropped below the pitch line thereof and the contact between springs 1'1 and 13 will have broken, and spring 11 will engage only spring 14. I Then it will be seen that the circuit is broken. The next change in the circuit occurs when the roller 12 associated with cam A rises above the pitch line, thereby efit'ecting a transfer of the follower spring 11 from engagement with the spring 14 into engagement with spring 13, whereupon'the circuit will be again closed and will extend from terminal 15 through conductor 17, follower spring 11, spring 13, conductor 19, spring 14, follower spring 11 and conductor 20, to terminal 16. The operation may thusbe traced through eachof its successive changes, and it-will be seen that a uniform train of. interruptions of equal make and break periods isobtained, as indicated 'at the bottom of Fig, 3. A

Figs. 4 and 5 are the 'same'as Fig. 3 except that the angular displacement between the teeth of the two cams is difi'erent in each case. In Fig. 4 the displacement isless than in Fig. 3 and the closed period is correspondingly shorter, while the open period is longer. In Fig. 5 the displacement. isgreater than in 3, and the open period is cor respondingly shorter while the closed period is longer. The cam adjustment may be carfled to either. extreme, wherein either the closed period or'open period approaches zero.

Referring again to Fig.3, it will be seen that with a single camanda .pair'of contact sprin cooperating therewith, the open and close period would each be equal to onehalf the itch, whereas with the arrangement describe the open andclosed periodsare each equal to one-quarter the pitch. The frequency then is doubled withoutincreasmg the s eed. 7

Fig. 6 1 lustrates diagrammatically a foul cam interrupter. There is included in this figure a multi-contact switch 21, by which the relative duration of the make and break periods may be interchanged. With the switch 21 in its normal position, the circuit of Fig. 6 is merely an extension of that shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The contact springs associated with cams and B are interconnected in the same way as cams A.

and B of Fig. 3, a'nd'the contact springs as-- sociated with cams C and D are likewise in- I terconnected. Cam G is displaced with re- 1 spect to cam A by an amount equal to onequarter the pitch, and cam B isdisplaced withrespect to cam A by an angle equal to that by whiclilcam D is'displaced with respect to cam C. The latter displacement is in accordance with the relative make and break periods which it is desired to obtain.

' In Fig. 6 conductors 17 and 17 each correspond to conductor 17 of F1gs. 3, 4 and 5,

and conductors 20 and 20 correspond .to

conductor 20 of Figs, 3, 4 and 5. It. will be noted that conductors 17 and. 17 of Fig.6 are connected together, and conductors 20 and 20 [are connected together through blades of switch 30.. Thus, it will be seen thatthe arrangement 'Of Fig. 6, with the switch 21 in its normal position as indicated in full lines, is equivalent to two sets of cams and springs, as shown in Fig; 3, con- 0 nccted in, multiple with the cams relatively displaced as described. g With the arrangement shown in Fig. 6,

double the frequency of that produced by i duced'with the cams adjusted as shown, and i the switch'21 in its normal position. Diagram N' shows the relative make and break periods produced with the switch 21 in the positionindicated by the dotted lines.- f

vAdjustr'nents of .the relative make and break periods are effected by moving cams B and D with respect to cams A andC. .In all cases. the adjustment of camB with respect to cam A should-be of the same extent and in the same direction as'the adjustment of cam l) with respect to cam C. Otherwise,

the train of interruptions will not be uniform. The result wouldbe a series of make periods of different duration. 7 1

shown Fig.- 6 and the switch 21 in its normal position-as indicated by the. full I With the contact springs in thepositiorr v lines, the interrupter circuit extends from terminal 15, through conductor 17, follower spring 11, spring 14, conductor 18, switch blade 22, conductor 23 to contact spring 13 at which point that branch of the circuit is broken. Another branch extends from com ductor 17 through conductor 24, switch upon the circuit is again closed. and maybe.

traced as follows: terminal 15, conductor 17, follower spring 11, spring 13,conductor 19, switch blade 32, conductor 33, spring 14, follower spring 11', conductor 20., switch blade 34, conductors 35 and 31, to terminal 16. This closed period subsists until follower spring 11 is lifted out of engage 'ment with spring 14 and into engagement with spring 13'. whereupon the circuit is again broken. Each successive change may be traced as in the foregoing instances, and it will be seen that a continuous train of make and break periods is produced as inil icatzd by diagram M at the bottom of When switch 21 is thrown into the position indicated by the dotted lines,'a number of circuit changes is efi'ected as follows: the connection between 13 and 14 is broken, the connection between 13 and 14' is broken, a connection is established between 13 and 13' and between 14 and14. Likewise the connection between 13' and 14 is broken, and the connection between 13 and 14' is broken. 13 is connected to 13, and 14 is connected to 14. The parallel connections between conductors 17 and 17' and between conductors 20 and 20' are also broken, and connections are'established whereby these last mentioned conductors are put in series relation.

The circuits may be readily traced for all positions of the. cams with respect to the follower springs, and it will be found that with the particular cam adjustment shown, a uniform train of interruptions, as indicated by diagram N at the bottom of Fi 6, will beobtained. This last mentioned train of interruptions, it will be seen, is the reverse of that indicated at M and this reversal is effected by merely throwing switch 21.

It should be observed that when the switch 21 is in its dotted line, osition, the circuit is closed whenever the f lower springs assosix-cam interrupter.

1,668,4r88v I tions,.that is, both up or both down, an thefollower springs associated with cams G and l) are (in like positions. For instance, if the follower springs 11 and 11' are up and 11 and 11. are down, the circuit is closed; or if they are all up or all down, the circuit is closed. The same holds true for all combinations wherein the follower springs comprising each pair are in like positions. The principle underlying the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 may be extended to combinations comprising any even number of cams.

"-.F1g."7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a This differs from the four-cam interrupter only in the following respects: there are six cam wheels instead of four; the alternate cams are displaced relatively by onesixth of the pitch instead of one-fourth; and the circuit connections are extended to take care of two additional sets of contact springs. Witlrthe camls set as shown in Fig. 7 and the switch 21 in its normal position (as shown) a series of interruptions in accordance with diagram M at the-bottom of the figure will be produced. \Vhen the switch 21 is thrown into its oti-norn'ial position, as indicated in dotted lines, a series of interru tions in accordance with diagram N will produced. Any desired ratio of make period to break period may be effected by shifting the relaltve os'itions of the intermediate cams B, D and with respect to the alternate cams A, C and E. It is not at all necessary that the so-called intermediate cams be actually placed between the alternate cams. They may if desired be grouped together and the so-called alternate cams grouped together or any other relative disposition may be made of them. The only essential point with res ect to locating the cams is that they shal operate their respective contact springs in the proper sequence.

The same results may be obtained by disposing the several sets oftcontact springs around a single cam wheel. With such an arrangement means could be provided for moving certain sets of contact springs with respect to the other sets whereby the relative duration of the make and break periods could be adjusted. Such an arrangement would, of course, come within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

leis

1. In a circuit interrupter, a plurality of of another set, and a second contact of said first set being in series with a second of said second set.

2. In a circuit interrupter, a plurality 6f 2 sets of contacts, means for operating said contact contact sets sequentially, the contacts of each of said sets each being connected in series with a contact in a'notherof said sets, the closed period of each contact being artially coincident with the open-periodo the contact in series therewith, and means for varying the relative duration of the coincident periods with respect to the non-coindent periods.

3. In a circuit interrupter, a plurality of sets of transter contacts, means for operating said contact sets sequentially, two contacts of each set each connected to difierent contacts of another set, the make eriod of each contact being partially coinci ent with the break period of the contact in the other set with which it is interconnected.

4. In a circuit interrupter, a plurality of sets of transfer contacts, means for operating said'contactsets sequentially, two contacts of each set each connected to different contacts of another set, the make eriod of each contact being partially coinci ent with the break period of the contact in the other set with which it is interconnected, and means for varying the relative duration of the co-incident period with respect to the non-coincident period.

-5. In a circuit interrupter, two sets of transfer contact springs each comprising an operating spring andtwo other springs arranged to engage said operating spring alternately, said second mentioned springs being so connected that when the operating s ring of one setv is operated in one direction and the operating spring of'the other set is operated in the other direction said operating springs are-ielectrically connected, and means for mechanically operating said operating springs sequentially.

6. In a c1rcu1t interrupter, two sets of transfer contact springs, each comprising an operating spring and two other springs arranged to engage said operating spring alternately, circuit connections between said sets of contact springs whereby a circuit may be established between said operating 3 rings by way of alternate paths each inc uding a contact in each of said sets, and means for operating said sets sequentially so that the closed periods of the contacts in each path are partially coincident.

7. In a circuit interrupter, two sets of transfer contact springs each comprising an operating spring and two other springs arranged to engage said operating spring I alternately, circuit connectionsbetween said sets of contact springs whereb a circuitmay be established between sai' operating springs by way of alternate paths, each inc uding a contact in each of said sets, means for 0 rating said sets sequentially so that the c osed periods of the-contacts in each path are partially coincident, and means for varying the relative duration of said coincident periods.

cident period with respect to the non-coin- -8. ln'a circuit interrupter, two sets of transfer contact springs each comprising an operating spring and two other springs arranged to engage said operating spring al- .ternately, circuit connections between said sets of contact springs whereby a circuit may be established between said operating springs by way of alternatepaths each ineluding a contact in each of said sets, a cam wheel for each of said sets arranged to opeach other whereby the relative duration of"- 'erate said setsv sequentially so that the said coincident periods with respect to .the Y non-coincident periods are variable, and means for rotating sald cam wheels.

9. A c1rcu1t lnterrupter comprislng a plurality of operating devices; a set of contacts for cooperating with each of said de- -vices, means for simultaneously operating said devices, circuit connections between said sets of contacts whereby their operations are coordinated to produce a train of circuit interruptions, and switching means for reversing the relative duration' of the make and break periods. r

10. A circuit interrupter comprising a plurality of sets of contacts, means for operatin said contacts sequentially, connections between said contacts whereby'their operations are coordinated to produce a train of circuit interruptions, and switching means for reversing the relativeduration of the make and break periods.

11. The combination in a circuit of a plurality ofinterrupters connected in multiple, the open period of each interrupter being partially coincidentwith the closed period of another interrupter, and means for varying tl' c relative duration of said coincident perio with respect to the non-coincldent period.

1 12. The combination in a circuit of a plurality of interrupters connected in multiple in which the open period of each interrupter is partially coincident with the closed period of another interrupter, and switching means;

for throwing said interrupters 1nto series relation whereby the relative duration of the make and .break periods maybe reversed.

13.'A' circuit interrupter comprising. a plurality of sets ct interconnected contacts, means for'operating said sets of contacts sequentially .to produce frequency multlp 1- cation, said" means comprising a plura ity of coaxially aligned cam wheels, certaln of said cam wheels rotatably' adjustable relative to others of said cam wheels, and means .to adjust the ratio of, make period to break pei'iod to any desired value, said second ranged to register with a con espondin 921. of e rtures in the 'other cam wh' or whee:

8' I -$568.4 1 I X means .com rising Bolts .ceo siding withh cam wl 1eel equal a the number one of a P urality of sets o apertqres in of dzfierent mzaettin desired. each of sand cam wheels, each of and sets In witfiem I hereof, hereunto subscribe '10 of apertures in each cam wheel being armyinlme this 15th day-ofNovember A. D.,

the number of m gs: apertureain JOSEPH F. 1). HOGE.. 

